3 fatal · PIPER PA-28-181 · 2012-09-13 · Strawberry, AZ, USA
Event
NTSB number
WPR12FA420
Event ID
20120915X03904
Type
Accident
Date
2012-09-13
Location
Strawberry, AZ, USA
Coordinates
34.4575, -111.483612
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
3
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
3
Aircraft
Make
PIPER
Model
PA-28-181
Registration
N4188E
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The flight instructor's and the evaluator's failure to divert at an appropriate time during cruise flight, which resulted in the airplane's inability to maintain a sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight evaluator's decision to allow the student pilot to plan for and execute a hazardous flight at an inappropriate altitude considering the terrain in high-density altitude conditions.